This Weeks Action

Today and Saturday has some interesting cards with some outstanding fighters being shown on various TV networks globally.

First up on Friday we have IBF lightweight champion Rances Barthelemy facing off previous IBF lightweight champion and TMT fighter Mickey Bey . This is a highly competitive fight against arguably the best lightweight in the world in Rances and a top legitimate contender in Mickey. Rances is a former world champion at super featherweight when he defeated Argenis Mendez in July of 2014 after their first bout was called a No Contest. Rances in December of 2015 claimed the vacant IBF lightweight crown with a UD win over former champion Denis Shafikov. Mickey Bey was the previous holder of the Belt but was stripped after failing a drug test for high levels of testosterone and has served a short suspension. This fight will be taking place in Hollywood, Florida and will be shown on SPIKE TV USA

Also on Friday night we have returns for Ronny Rios fighting Efrain Esquivias in Los Angeles on the regular Golden Boy Friday night cards shown on USA Estrella TV. Also former World title holder at lightweight Richar Abrill is making a welcome return to the ring in Queens, New York.

On Saturday night the main UK interest will coming from the Echo Arena, Liverpool with the Card promoted by Frank Warren with the main feature being Liam Smith facing Predrag Radosevic of Montenegro. The fight will be Liam Smith’s second defence of his WBO light middleweight title. Although it’s a disappointing opponent for Liam, His team and he are targeting the big names and with the possibility of facing Saul Alvarez we are expecting exciting developments before the end of the year. Paul Butler will be in a 12 rounder against Petchbarngborn Kokietgym of Thailand for the WBO International super flyweight title. It seems to me that Paul Butler is heading down the route to become mandatory for Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue for his WBO world title. On the bill also we have fan favourite Zolani Tete facing Victor Ruiz for an IBF international Belt. Lots of UK fans are high on Tete especially after his destruction of Paul Butler in his defence of his world title at super flyweight. Ryan Farrag makes his inaugural defence of the EBU Bantamweight Title against Frenchman Karim Guerfi. Thomas Stalker is also in a WBO European title fight against Antonio Joao Bento in a fight if Thomas was to loose will put his career in serious jeopardy. The card will broadcast on Boxnation.

Also on Saturday we have the next billing of Russian light heavyweight Sensation in Artur Beterbiev facing Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna for the WBO international title and NABA title. This fight should be a formality for Artur considering he is fighting a super middleweight being brought up to the light heavyweight division. The card will be shown on ESPN USA and will take place in the Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada.

Finally on Saturday at the Stubhub centre in California the main attraction will be the WBC world super featherweight title fight with Francisco Vargas defending against Orlando Salido which promises to be a very entertaining fight which I would recommend watching. The talented Julian Ramirez will be facing Abraham Lopez in a contest at featherweight. Crowd friendly and all round fan favourite Gabriel Rosado will be facing Antonio Gutierrez of Mexico in a middleweight contest and a great chance for the 22 year old Gutierrez to gain some US exposure. The card will be broadcasted on HBO Latino.

The fight schedule and TV info is available on hithardnews.com. Along with Reports and articles with more content to follow.